F1 Photographer Peter Fox Placed in Chokehold by Spanish Police at Madrid Grand Prix

During the Spanish Grand Prix, a police officer restrained Formula One photographer Peter Fox in a chokehold while he was trying to access the drivers' podium. Fellow photographer Daniel Atán Romar captured the moment, sharing a photo on X on September 13, 2026, which depicted the officer's arm around Fox's neck as he held a monopod with a sizable camera. Romar noted that the officer confronted Fox for entering a photographer-only passage at the Madring circuit in Madrid. Identified by Crash.net, Fox is a veteran F1 photographer associated with Williams Racing and Getty Images. Jamey Price, another motorsports photographer, expressed that he was not surprised by the altercation, citing his own experiences with race security. Fox was wearing an official bib, and a colleague was seen arguing with the officer. The reason for the officer's actions remains unknown, and PetaPixel has reached out to Fox for a statement. This incident recalls a similar event in Hungary in 2022, where Getty Images photographer Mark Thompson was injured by a security guard. The Spanish Grand Prix, held at the newly constructed Madring circuit, was won by Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli but was deemed disappointing due to a lack of overtaking.